The former Spurs, QPR and West Ham boss was renowned for his dealings in the transfer market and is certain meetings have already taken place to agree a deal for the 20-year-old’s future.

Speaking this morning, Redknapp said: “What are you going to get out of him if you force him to stay against his wishes? Somebody has spoken to his agent, no danger. There’s a deal lined up somewhere, we mustn’t kid ourselves.

“There ain’t a transfer that gets done without somebody speaking to someone. It’s all done that way.

“Whichever club it is in this country, they’ll have made an offer, had a meet with the agent or whoever, say this is what we can offer him, £150 grand a week, blah, blah, blah.

Aidy Ward

“He wants it, you say ‘son, you’re not going’ but how’s he going to play?

“He’s not ‘not going to try’, he wouldn’t do that. But if his head’s not right, you’ve got a problem.

“You try to get him in on his own, you talk to him, say you don’t want him to go but if he says he doesn’t want to stay then I think you’ve got to sell him.”

LISTEN: Redknapp on Sterling

Sterling has been enjoying a holiday in Ibiza with friends this week including moped riding and a stint on a water hoverboard.

Manchester City have already made two bids for the Liverpool forward, the latest an offer of £40m last week, and a third is expected.

Liverpool’s stance has always been that they do not want to sell Sterling but would reluctantly agree to his departure if their £50million valuation is met, with 20% of any fee heading to his former club at QPR.

Vieira: Sterling has shown how well he's been doing at Liverpool

Sterling has two years left on his Anfield deal giving Liverpool the upper hand in any negotiations, with City desperate to secure young English talent. The player's agent Aidy Ward was quoted last month suggesting Sterling would not sign a new Liverpool deal whatever the money, in comments he subsequently denied.

Man City’s football development executive Patrick Vieira has said their pursuit of the Liverpool star shows how far the club has progressed.

The former Arsenal man spoke to ESPN at Western Union’s PASS initiative.

Newcastle (H)

He said; “I think if you go down and ask 10 people what they think about him (Sterling), I think nine would give you a positive answer. I would be part of the nine people because he’s shown how good he is, how well he’s been doing at Liverpool.

“If he is in the market, not just City would be interested in him. But that’s the first team and I’m not part of the first team, I work with the Academy. So I’m just giving you my opinion.

“I remember before I joined the club, Manchester City were fighting to stay in the Premier League. We’re just talking about four or five years ago, now they are fighting to win the title. They are fighting to win the Champions League. They are competing against the best teams in Europe.

“So I think the team has improved a lot, the club is really going up fast. Now, when you have Manchester City in the market, to try to bring a big name, big name players think about it.

"That shows how Manchester City have become bigger and important in international football.”